Dwight Howard’s injury gives the Wizards another reason to break this team up

The Washington Wizards are in trouble — the same trouble they’ve been in for more than a month. Their roster isn’t working on the court, it’s fighting off it, and now, the team’s biggest signing of the summer, Dwight Howard, is probably going to miss a whole bunch of time to injury.

Howard will indeed undergo surgery on two herniated discs in his back, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. That injury has kept Howard out of the lineup for 12 of 21 games this season. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, surgery will cost him “a significant part of the season.” Charania reports that Howard “hopes” to return in eight weeks.”

Yikes.

What does this means for the Wizards

It’s ... bad.

Howard has his flaws, but he’s the clear best big in D.C. The Wizards shopped Marcin Gortat to bring him in. And in nine games he’s averaged 13 points and nine rebounds on 62 percent shooting, providing some rim protecting. He’s been fine.

In the 12 games without him, Washington’s gone 4-8.

The Wizards have started second-year big Thomas Bryant in Howard’s absence, and he’s been ok in spurts, but isn’t ready to assume a role this large. He’s averaging four points and three rebounds in 10 minutes this season. If Washington wants to continue to attempt at a playoff push, he probably isn’t the answer.

But there are few other solutions. The team could start Ian Mahinmi, who sits on a bloated contract that pays him nearly $16 million this season, but his fit has been awful, and he’s found himself out of the rotation as of late. The only other feasible options are playing Markieff Morris more minutes at the center spot, or bringing reserve Jason Smith into the mix.

Neither seems viable for a team that’s supposed to be among the East’s middle-tier, unless they embrace the tank.

So now what?

If Howard’s going to miss most of the season, it’s probably time to make serious trades and put all eyes on the upcoming draft. Both Bradley Beal and John Wall have been rumored to be on the block, and now calls should be taken. Nobody should be off the table.

That backcourt unit has been together for seven seasons, and hasn’t gone further than the conference semifinals. And, on top of it all, isn’t happy playing where they are.

Any bid towards the playoffs is delusional for Washington, which, even should it qualify, won’t last long. The Wizards rank No. 25 in adjusted net rating, getting outscored by 4.39 points per 100 possessions. (That’s worse than the Magic and the Nets.) Their offense ranks No. 16 in the league, and defense No. 26.

Is making a run for the No. 8 seed worth it anymore?

It’s time to start considering this season might be a dud, and refocus on a direction for a frustrated and underperforming group.